BARCELONA, Spain -- Atletico Madrid sweated out a 1-0 victory over Villarreal without leading scorer Diego Costa to stay top of the Spanish league on Saturday, while Lionel Messi scored two goals in Barcelonas 3-1 win over Real Betis to stay one point behind. [url=http://www.vikingsauthenticshoponline

BARCELONA, Spain -- Atletico Madrid sweated out a 1-0 victory over Villarreal without leading scorer Diego Costa to stay top of the Spanish league on Saturday, while Lionel Messi scored two goals in Barcelonas 3-1 win over Real Betis to stay one point behind. Chris Doleman Jersey . Gareth Bales long-range goal helped make sure Real Madrid didnt miss star Cristiano Ronaldo as it cruised to a 4-0 victory at Real Sociedad, staying within three points of the pacesetters in third place. Messi converted a 14th-minute penalty and followed up a second spot kick that was blocked by goalkeeper Adan Garrido to seal the victory in the 86th. Messi recorded his 24th and 25th league goals of the season -- pulling him level with Diego Costa as the leagues second-leading scorers behind Ronaldos 28 -- but Barcelona again showed problems in defence that last-placed Betis failed to fully exploit. Earlier, Atleticos Raul Garcia scored in the 14th and Diego Simeones side held out to deny Villarreal in the second half as it stayed undefeated at its Vicente Calderon stadium through 17 league games this season. "We didnt have the strength and energy that we have had on other days," said Simeone. "But my team played smart, and when you play smart you make up for the lack of energy to pull out the win." Atletico hopes Diego Costa will recover from a right thigh injury for Wednesdays Champions League quarterfinal with Barcelona after they drew 1-1 in the first leg. Atletico then has six games left as it tries to claim its first league title since 1996. While David Villa was ineffective before being substituted with half an hour to play, Garcia again proved his value to Atletico as a versatile attacking midfielder by pushing aside his marker to head in Jorge "Koke" Resurreccions corner kick. Also, Rayo Vallecano won 3-0 at home over Celta Vigo to get its fifth win in seven rounds and move six points from the relegation zone. Barcelona unfurled a banner in the Camp Nou stands before the match that read "Hands Off La Masia," referring to FIFAs one-year transfer ban after footballs governing body found the Catalan club guilty of breaching regulations in signing youth players for its renowned training academy. Barcelona club president Josep Bartomeu also said that he had a "friendly and cordial conversation" with FIFA president Joseph Blatter about the ban. "We are going through some tough times, but we have managed to isolate ourselves and concentrate on the matches," Barcelona forward Pedro Rodriguez said. Messi put Barcelona in charge after Alexis Sanchez was fouled by defender Jordi Figueras in the area. Barcelona started to show the same drop in energy that had affected Atletico after Xavi Hernandezs free kick grazed the crossbar. But just when Betis was playing its best, Figueras gifted Barcelona a goal by knocking Adrianos pass into his own net in the 67th. A minute later substitute Ruben Castro scored for Betis with Barcelona disorganized at the back, using a feint to make two defenders slide to the turf before he poked the ball beyond goalkeeper Jose Pinto. Messi finally calmed the nervous crowd after Antonio Amaya handled Neymars cross in the box. Adan saved Messis first try and even recovered to get a glove on his follow-up effort, only to see the ball trickle over the goalline. With Ronaldo nursing his hurt left knee, Madrids visit to Sociedad was billed as its toughest outing left in the league. Instead it proved to be a pleasant trip to San Sebastian, as Madrid put together a no-nonsense performance highlighted by Bales outstanding strike. Sociedads early push sputtered out when its former player Asier Illarramendi tilted the game in Madrids favour just before halftime by scoring a rebound from Karim Benzemas shot that goalie Claudio Bravo pushed down in front of his net. After Sergio Ramos and Benzema had both hit the woodwork, Bale pounced on Bravos scuffed goal kick that fell to him 30-meters outside the area before quickly unleashing a blistering left-footed strike to seal the result in the 66th. Pepe swept in Madrids third in the 85th before substitute Alvaro Morata scored with two minutes to play. Stefon Diggs Jersey .com) - Willie Cauley-Stein and Karl-Anthony Towns each scored 12 points in the top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats 70-55 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide. Brian Robison Jersey . -- Atlanta Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson is being checked for a possible concussion after blowing a tire on his way to the first workout of spring training. http://www.vikingsauthenticshoponline.com/Youth-Shamar-Stephen-Elite-Jersey/ . - Houston defensive end J.TORONTO - DeMar DeRozan has become a student of the game in his absence with a groin injury, soaking in lessons from the sidelines that he says will make him a better player.The Toronto Raptors, however, will have to wait a little while longer to see the fruits of his labour.The Raptors are playing it safe with DeRozan, who originally had hoped to play Thursday versus the visiting Charlotte Hornets, but said he is now targeting some time next week for his return.Just coming and practising the last couple of days, just getting back involved, letting my teammates know Im back out there, I owe that to them not to just jump back in a game, I want to get a couple more practices in over these next couple of days, then come back, DeRozan said Wednesday.DeRozan has been out of the lineup since he tore his groin tendon Nov. 28 against the Dallas Mavericks. He underwent more diagnostic tests on Tuesday and was cleared by doctors. He said he is pain free.It hasnt been an easy six weeks for the Raptors all-star, who had missed just 11 games total over his previous five seasons in the NBA.But the 25-year-old is always looking at ways to improve his game — including writing out his ABCs with his left hand last summer in an effort to improve his weaker hand.Its definitely been tough, but its a new challenge for me, DeRozan said. Ive grown more mentally, when it comes to basketball, (than) if I hadnt been hurt. . . Just watching the game and really understanding the game from a different level, understanding the things that I could do out there on the court that could affect the game, other ways I could figure out how to be better on the court.The Raptors (24-10) are third in the NBAs Eastern Conference behind first-place Atlanta and Chicago. In DeRozans absence, theyve plummetted from ninth place in the league defensively to 28th.Coach Dwane Casey said he had hoped to see DeRozan back Thursday — fingers crossed, toes crossed — but agrees with the decision to play it safe. He looks good in practice, but just for his safety and his future health, and his career, were going to be prudent as far as making sure we go at the right pace, bring him back at the right time, and its the right thing to do, Casey said. I know it kills him because hes champing at the bit, but Ive seen so many players have this same injury in their career, and you think youre back, but if those fibres have not grown back and matured in the right way, the least little torque could pull it out and hes out the rest of the year. Teddy Bridgewater Jersey. So we want to be smart.DeRozan, who is averaging 19.4 points and 4.2 rebounds a game, rejoined practice last week, but said he would like about seven under his belt before stepping into a game.I think its bigger than me, he said. And, besides the last couple games the team lost, theyve been playing well. They have their rhythm and like I said, I dont just want to hop back out there.Theres a lot of new plays they put in that Ive still got to get down pat — plays for (Terrence Ross), plays for Kyle (Lowry) . . . So I want to make sure I get all that down pat before I come back.DeRozan had kind words for Lowry, who was named the Eastern Conference player of the month for December.Hes been amazing, man, honestly, DeRozan said. I cant even say words that can explain how hes been playing. He definitely took the team on his back.DeRozan said its been funny to watch Lowry running plays that would normally be his.Hes playing my position, so next game, every play he runs is my play. . . Just tell him, stop running my plays, DeRozan said. It kind of (makes) me happy though. . . but I tell them One thing yall cant do is get to the free throw line.The Raptors are averaging about seven fewer free throw attempts per game without DeRozan.His value in getting to the free throw line is one of those lessons that he said has really sunk in, watching his team from the sidelines.Especially in late-game situations with the game going too fast, I understand youve got to get to the free throw line, slow down the momentum, try to switch the momentum to our end, DeRozan said.DeRozan will rejoin the Raptors right before the balloting for the NBA all-star game concludes. He believes he and Lowry would have both been all-stars if not for his injury, but is certain Lowry will be named to the East team. Lowry was fourth among Eastern Conference guards on the most recent balloting. Hes in there. If he dont get in there with votes, hell get in there no matter what, DeRozan said, in reference to the fact coaches vote in the reserves. Hes been snubbed a couple of times in his career. I know hes in there so I dont need to send a vote or nothing. I know hes going to be in there. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '